Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 11

Today is our Wedding Anniversary.
The day has finally come.
Our first Wedding Anniversary and, as it happens, our last.
Though I’ve been clinging to life by a thread all weekend and haven’t had the chance to go anywhere, I still need to give him the gift I’ve prepared.
Do you know how much work went into readying this Villa?
During those months of preparation, I’d report to the Guild during the day and slip away repeatedly to check on things and decorate, all while keeping it hidden from Noah.
I was so certain he’d be startled, that his dazzling smile would light up my days—how was I to know it would be my final gift to him?
They say fortune and misfortune turn on a single thread, but I never imagined we’d reach this point after only a year of marriage.
Though I’ve come to understand, painfully, that there’s no such thing as a destined match in this world.
Sob, sob—first, let me dry these tears.
Still, I intend to give him this Villa with genuine sincerity, believing it to be a true gift for Noah.
I’ve heard that if you love without regret, no lingering attachment will remain.
If I give him everything I have and end things gracefully, then later, when I’m alone, I won’t weep missing him or feeling sorrow.
I have so many years ahead—I can’t afford to be so pathetic.
Besides, this is my first real gift to him, and my last. What a thing.
I harbor the small hope that my effort might make him show mercy regarding my crime.
He might even look at me with such pity that he’d tell me to just go, dismissing me as worthless!
Ah, isn’t that wishful thinking?
If it doesn’t work, then so be it.
But when I woke earlier, it seemed the adjutant came looking for me urgently—surely that won’t prevent me from going today?
I drove away the morning drowsiness creeping over me and kicked off the covers.

After bathing, I came out and was patting my hair dry with a towel when Noah slipped into the room and took the towel from me.
I caught his reflection in the mirror.
“Noah, have you finished with your urgent business? If there’s still something pressing, you can go this evening instead.”
He’d left earlier with something urgent to attend to and had only just returned.
“No, Heizel. I’ve taken care of everything.”
With practiced skill, his gentle hands dried my damp hair, and the sleep I’d fought so hard to chase away in the bath began creeping back over me.
Sitting there with my eyes closed, I drifted off, but then I felt an odd tickle at the base of my neck.
My eyes opened in confusion, and through the mirror, I spotted a Necklace I’d never seen before.
“What?”
Around a golden gem the exact shade of my own eyes, transparent diamonds had been masterfully carved in a lattice pattern, gleaming with perfect brilliance.
Neither too large nor too small.
It was a Necklace of impeccable taste—precisely mine.
I studied the rarely seen design more carefully.
Wait… was this…?
It resembled the design I’d once mentioned on a date while fiddling with another Necklace I was wearing—how, if only it were a bit smaller in the diamonds and hung just a touch longer to drape over an off-shoulder dress like a shimmering cascade with each movement.

“Noah, isn’t this beautiful?”
“Yes. It’s a perfect match—so much like your eyes.”
“Using slightly smaller diamonds and hanging it a touch longer like this would look wonderful draped over an off-shoulder dress, wouldn’t it? Each movement would make it sparkle like ripples. Well, not that I have any galas to attend, but it seems too ornate for everyday wear.”
“Shall I host a gala?”
“Pardon? Do you know how much it costs to hold a gala? People might start rumors that the Marquis and Marquise of Ferrarium are squandering their fortune.”
“A mere pittance—”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“Nothing.”

Is this imagination? Or did he truly remember all of that?
It was something I’d mentioned offhandedly that day while looking at the Necklace I was wearing.
Noah, always generous with gifts, has somehow managed to prepare this separately, investing time and such meticulous care.
When did he even…?
This thorough man!
Because Noah always gave first, I’d wanted to be the one to reveal mine first today—and yet again, I’m one step behind.
I spun around sharply, eyes wide with astonishment as I looked up at Noah.
“Thank you for marrying me.”
Noah spoke as though he’d been waiting for this moment.
“…Noah.”
“Heizel, I love you.”
I blinked up at him, my eyes wide.
Noah smiled softly, scattering kisses across my forehead and the bridge of my nose without pause.
I’d expected him to be displeased that his plans had been disrupted, yet he seemed far happier than usual today.
Had he quickly devised some other scheme in the meantime? Surely not?
Still gazing up at Noah, I raised my hand and slowly wrapped my fingers around his wrist as he caressed my cheek.
I could accept almost anything else, but a confession of love felt almost unfair.
If only he’d declared it with an expressionless face—then I might have let it slide. But staring into eyes that dripped with affection like honey, I found my composure slipping.
“…I love you too. Noah, thank you for marrying me. Marrying you is the best…….”
My throat suddenly tightened.
“Heizel?”
No—I mustn’t let him see that I’m wavering.
“…decision I’ve ever made! I love you, more than anything in this world. I’m truly blessed.”
Noah’s angelic smile vanished, his face going blank.
He simply stared at me with eyes I couldn’t begin to read, saying nothing at all.
Had I misspoken? Had I laughed too theatrically?
Suddenly Noah’s hand gripped my chin.
“Why… are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you’re lovely.”
My eyes widened just as his lips met mine.
My mouth fell open into a deep, dizzying kiss sweet enough to make my thoughts scatter.
The instant our lips parted, his mouth found my earlobe.
The ticklish sensation made my eyes flutter shut, and then I heard Noah’s impossibly low voice in my ear.
“I’m the fortunate one indeed.”
Wait……?
In that moment, my senses snapped awake and gooseflesh erupted across my skin.
The voice was unmistakably Noah’s—and yet it wasn’t Noah’s at all.
If you asked me to explain it, I’d say it sounded like Kailaus’s voice. Not Noah’s!
Gentle and kind, yet impossibly deep and weighted with presence.
The voice of someone who had set a trap.
“…We should hurry. I’d like to give you your gift soon.”
I rose from my seat to change the subject.
“Today, my wife may do as she wishes. I’ll follow your lead in everything.”
I hurriedly shook off Noah’s persistent gaze and finished preparing for our outing.

* * *

“Noah, you mustn’t open your eyes.”
“Understood.”
Noah replied with delight in his voice, as though humoring children at their games.
His tone was playful, obliging.
“Your eyes are shut? You truly can’t see anything?”
“Not a thing.”
I stepped down from the carriage with a small length of cloth still covering Noah’s eyes.
A Villa stood before us, adorned with a small garden, five large windows beneath its sharply peaked roof, and a white front door.
Though modest compared to the Manor where we’d been staying, it was still a two-story building.
It was larger even than the Guild I operated.
The Villa I’d built as a gift for Noah wasn’t far from the Manor.
Though far enough that we’d needed the carriage to reach it—I wanted him to have a place to rest whenever he wished.
There was a small Stream nearby, which was why I’d insisted on this location.
I untied the cloth from Noah’s eyes as we stood facing the Villa directly.
Noah kept his eyes obediently closed, just as I’d asked.
“You may open them now.”
I’d never prepared a gift so painstakingly in my life. Perhaps that’s why I was the one trembling with anticipation, not him.
I waited anxiously for Noah to open his eyes, watching his face.
At last, his crimson eyes opened, revealing themselves to the world.
I watched Noah’s eyes widen in surprise, then felt relief wash over me.
He seemed to like it.
Though I’d felt betrayed, affection hadn’t vanished entirely—seeing his pleasure brought a warmth to my own chest that I couldn’t suppress.
But there was nothing I could do about it. Emotions don’t evaporate in an instant.
“I built this place just for you, Noah.”
“Heizel.”
“I know you struggle with headaches sometimes. And loud noises trouble you. So I wanted to create a quiet, peaceful space where you could simply be.”
……
“And you’ve always adapted to me, haven’t you? We lived such different lives for over twenty years—it shouldn’t be possible for us to fit together this well. But I know it’s because you love me so much.”
Noah reached out and cradled my face in his hands.
The warmth spread across my skin, and though loneliness flickered through me, I found myself smiling.
“So I wanted to show you my love too. Well, I’ll admit I put quite a bit of my own taste into it—but you don’t mind, do you?”
……
I launched into my gift presentation.
“Even someone as perfect as you must struggle sometimes, must have moments of worry. This place is for doing nothing at all—just resting. You absolutely cannot work here. And if something I’ve done still bothers you, you can come here. Just one day, mind you—I’ll give you that much grace.”
I wavered over whether to say this, then shrugged and spoke anyway, but Noah couldn’t take his eyes off the Villa.
“I never imagined something like this……”
Noah murmured softly.
“Do you like it?”
For a moment he stood perfectly still, then turned toward me.
In the same breath, I found myself drawn into his embrace.
“I like it very much.”
He held me so tightly I could barely breathe, kissing the crown of my head again and again without pause.
“I’m so glad. Would you like to go inside?”
I peeked up at him with the question, and Noah laughed softly before nodding.
I took his hand and led him to the entrance. Once I gave him the key, he opened the door with genuine delight.
“The fireplace is charming.”
“You don’t mind the cold much, but even so, it’ll feel cozy in winter.”
After Noah finished his meticulous tour of the first floor, I led him straight up to the second-floor bedroom.
“This is the bedroom. I think it’s nicer than the one downstairs—what do you think? I’ve had Soundproof Magic Stones installed in the windows too. The area is so remote it’s quiet anyway, but I thought you might want it even quieter when you’re resting. Oh, and this room here……”
As I explained eagerly, arms wrapped around my waist and Noah’s chest pressed against my back.
“I’d rather come here with you than alone. It’s a place where I want to rest together.”
“But then the gift loses its meaning……?”
“My wife prepared this for me—that alone is already more than enough. It’s comfortable and beautiful. Shall we come here every weekend?”
“Every weekend?”
Noah, holding me from behind, slowly lowered his head.
“I’d be content spending all our time in this room.”
Since there was only the two of us anyway, he whispered deliberately against my ear where only I could hear, the warmth tickling my skin.
My face flushed crimson in an instant.
“You really are incorrigible.”
I slipped away from Noah’s embrace, shooting a backward glance as he burst into laughter.
“There’s a Stream outside too—want to see it? I heard during construction that rabbits and deer sometimes come by. Oh, you can see them from here!”
I led him around enthusiastically, showing him every remaining corner of the property.
Noah seemed so delighted with the gift that he suggested we come here every Wedding Anniversary.
It was a promise we would never keep, but I agreed readily all the same.

* * *

After leaving the Villa and parting ways with Noah, I headed to the Guild.
At the same time, I sent Nizela on an errand and immediately summoned Ginger.
“Good morning, Director! What a beautiful day it is!”
The moment Ginger entered, she greeted me loudly and bowed ninety degrees at the waist.
“Welcome, Ginger. Please, sit comfortably.”
“Yes, Director!”
I set aside the documents I’d gathered to organize finances and smiled at Ginger.
“How are things? Are you finding the work manageable?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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